The biostratinomy of Dikelocephalus sclerites: implications for the use of trilobite attitude data.

Journal article

Model sclerites of the trilobite Dikelocephalus were qualitatively observed under 2 different hydrodynamic conditions: falling through still water and entrained in flowing water. Most pygidia were found to glide backwards through still water in a convex up attitude, whereas most cranidia glided forwards in a convex down position. Presented data from fossils show just such a pattern of final dispositions. In flowing water both sclerites were found to behave in a similar manner to each other. Taphonomic studies using trilobite orientations and attitudes should therefore take account of the different hydrodynamic properties of cranidia and pygidia as well as differences between sclerites of different taxa and of different sizes. -Author

Authors: Hesselbo, S

• Journal: Palaios
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 605-608
• Publication date: 1987-01-01
• DOI: 10.2307/3514497
• ISSN: 0883-1351
• Language: English